Friday Morning Dump

- Yesterday, Tom Izzo flew into Cleveland for a visit with the Cavaliers brass. While some outlets are reporting he is leaning towards leaving, its pretty clear to me that he has yet to make a decision. Upon returning to East Lansing yesterday, he was asked how long it was going to take for him to make a decision. His response: "it isn't going to be forever."

- People really want Izzo to stay in East Lansing. Students held a vigil for him outside the Breslin Center yesterday, and Derrick Nix was brought to tears when talking about it with reporters.

- As far as expansion goes, there isn't much new information to report right now (see here and here). One interesting thing to note, as Jeff Eisenberg points out, is how little teams are actually regarding academics. Historically, both the Big Ten and the Pac-10 have prided themselves on being excellent academic conferences, which can be thrown out the window as the two leagues absorb the Big XII and the Big East.

- Nebraska is expected to make the announcement today that they are joining the Big Ten.

- More Jim Calhoun news: apparently back in 1999, the school warned the basketball program that Josh Nochimson, the former student manager that has gotten the Huskies in all this trouble, was considered an agent by the NBA and to avoid him. Jeff Jacobs, who has always had a salty relationship with the UConn coach, rips him in this excellent column.

- USC is planning on appealing some of the sanctions handed down by the NCAA. Dana O'Neil says it will be tough for USC to win that appeal. She also says that UConn can learn from USC, specifically tell the truth, because lying to the NCAA is what will get the book thrown at her. Gary Parrish questions how Tim Floyd still has a job, and whether or not college coaches will ever listen to compliance officers. According to Andy Katz, Kevin O'Neill is relieved that are no more serious sanctions for hoops, which is just a bit obvious.

- Jay Bilas goes in on the Eric Bledsoe situation and comments on college coaches going to the NBA.

- Offseason Dana O'Neil!!! Man, she was all over the place yesterday.

- Adam Zagoria interviewed Dexter Pittman, who lost his brother while training for the NBA draft.

- Dick Vitale got lit up by a foul ball at the Tampa Bay Rays game yesterday

- Jonathon Givony on five of the best sleepers in this draft

- Coaches vs. Cancer and SEC/Big East fields announced

Andy Katz on realignment